Motor vehicle jet water conduit connecting arrangement

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a motor vehicle jet water conduit connecting arrangement for connecting a plastic corrugated pipe within a motor vehicle jet water conduit system, wherein said connecting arrangement is formed with a corrugated pipe section and a connector support section, and a socket section is provided in accordance with the invention which comes to rest in a fitting position between a connector support area on the corrugated pipe side and the connector support section.

[0001] RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to German Application 102 12 402.7 filed in Germany on Mar. 20, 2002, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0003] The invention relates to a motor vehicle jet water conduit connecting arrangement.

[0004] Various types of jet water conduit connecting assemblies are known in the prior art, which are used to connected various components of a motor vehicle jet water conduit system to each other. Thus, for instance, water conduits are connected to pump casings or nozzles or to a storage tank. The nozzles are generally arranged near a windscreen, a headlight, a wing mirror or the like. The aim and purpose of the arrangement is to transport jet water from a jet water reservoir to a location on the motor vehicle to be cleaned.

[0005] Various methods of solving this are already known in the prior art. In general, flexible pipes are used to transport the jet water.

[0006] One far-reaching suggestion, which may be gathered from DE 198 11 019.7 A1, relates to the use of corrugated pipes as jet water conduits, said corrugated pipes being provided with a coupling piece, for instance for attaching the corrugated pipes to a jet water pump or the like.

[0007] In accordance with DE 196 53 257 C2, a connector for a hose is disclosed, wherein a plain hose made of flexible material is provided with a coupling piece comprising a support sleeve which is inserted into the inner circumference of the hose. Two hoses can be connected to each other, by forming respective coupling parts as a male part on the one hand and a female part on the other, in order to connect them tightly to each other via a latching means. On the one hand, this connection only works with flexible hoses, and on the other, the manufacturing and assembling costs using this connecting technique are relatively high.

[0008] Since the present invention belongs to the field of mass production, even slight simplifications and cost-savings are of immense significance, and it is in this sense that the connector technique in accordance with DE 196 53 257 C2 is to be regarded as disadvantageous.

[0009] A connecting technique is known from DE 197 23 410 A1 in which a corrugated pipe is slid onto a connector support whose cross-section is slightly funnel-shaped, and is held on the support via spring struts comprising holding tappets. In addition, O-rings can provide a seal, wherein these O-rings should be inserted into wave crests or wave troughs on the outer and/or inner circumference of the corrugated pipe, in order to deploy their sealing effect. Stabilising annular clamping elements are intended to provide this connecting technique with the necessary durability. This technique is also expensive, awkward, and the seal can in no way be ensured here, in particular due to the various production tolerances.

[0010] A connecting technique is known from DE 201 04 406.4 U1 in which a connector support area, for instance on a jet water pump, comprises a latching section, wherein a connector support section formed as one piece with a corrugated pipe is fitted with a circumferential sealing area, said sealing area exhibiting a larger outer circumference than the corresponding inner circumference of the connector support area of the jet water pump. In this way, an expansion of the connector support area through the connector support section of the corrugated pipe is achieved, in order to provide the necessary seal. With this technique, creep effects of the material can occur, such that after a certain period of time, the plastic material creeps away from the sealing material, such that in the course of time, the connection could develop a leak.

[0011] In the prior art, then, there are connector support sections which in accordance with the connector techniques cited above can at least partially disadvantageously be fixed to connecting conduits for jet water.

SUMMARY

[0012] It is an object in accordance with the present invention to connect known connector support sections in motor vehicle jet water conduit systems to corrugated pipes in an easy-to-handle and cost-effective way, wherein it should be possible to adopt the known connector support sections unaltered.

[0013] It is also an object of the invention to propose a new and sealed connecting arrangement for motor vehicle jet water conduit systems, which can withstand even high pressures without becoming mechanically unstable or developing a leak.

[0014] The advantages achieved in accordance with the invention are based on a socket section which comes to rest in a fitting position between a connector area on the corrugated pipe side and the connector support section, wherein the connector support section can for example be assigned to a jet water pump, a jet water storage tank, a jet water nozzle section or the like.

[0015] The connection sealing the connecting arrangement can be particularly advantageously manufactured if the connector support area of the corrugated pipe comprises a sealing and engaging constriction which co-operates with an at least partially corresponding structure on the outer circumference of the socket section. When fitted, the sealing and engaging constriction can press on the socket section, so as to fulfil a sealing function, and secondarily a holding function can also be exercised where necessary. A corresponding structure on the outer circumference of the socket section substantially serves to position the socket section with respect to the connector support section and therefore with respect to the sealing and engaging constriction on the inner circumference of the connector support section. The corresponding structure on the outer circumference of the socket section is not necessarily required for deploying the sealing effect, but can be of assistance, in particular when positionally adjusting the two parts of the connecting arrangement in accordance with the invention.

[0016] Further advantages may be achieved if a positional control structure is provided on the socket section, said positional control structure corresponding to a corresponding positional control structure on the connector support area of the corrugated pipe. This makes it possible to move the socket section to a defined position in the connector support area and to fix it mechanically. This function is important, in particular with regard to the sealing and engaging constriction of the connector support area, so as to be able to secure the positioning of the sealing and engaging constriction with respect to the socket section.

[0017] It should be stated that, conversely, it is of course also possible for the socket section to comprise a corresponding recess which can engage with a circumferential extension of the connector support area. This also enables a sealing effect to be achieved, conversely, such as is intended to be achieved by the sealing constriction on the connector support area of the corrugated pipe.

[0018] In order to additionally achieve mechanical stability, and to further improve the positional determination of the various parts of the arrangement of the invention in accordance with the invention with respect to each other, the connector support area of the corrugated pipe can comprise a holding section which co-operates with a corresponding socket holding section, in particular in order to also counteract drawing-out forces.

[0019] The connector support section, which can for instance be provided on a jet water pump or the like but can also be assigned to a coupling piece via which a corrugated pipe extension is connected or can be part of a branching junction via which a corrugated pipe is branched to a number of connector conduits, can comprise a sealing area in a known way. This sealing area, which in the fitting position co-operates with the sealing and engaging constriction of the connector support area and the structure particular to the socket section, forming a seal, comes to rest in the fitting position substantially axially flush with the connecting corrugated pipe.

[0020] The connector support section advantageously also comprises a fixing section in a known way, which can co-operate with a fixing structure of the socket section and, as appropriate, also of the connector support area.

[0021] Advantageously, the material of the socket section is made of a permanently elastic, soft and sealing material, such as for example rubber, sponge or the like. Such a material simplifies assembly, such that on the one hand the various components of the arrangement in accordance with the invention can be connected to each other without much force and on the other hand, the socket section abuts the corresponding sealing surfaces of the remaining components of the connecting arrangement in accordance with the invention, forming a seal.

[0022] In this connection, it is also advantageous if the outer circumference of the socket section is circumferentially larger, at least in areas, than the corresponding inner circumference of the connector support area of the corrugated pipe. Additionally or alternatively, it is also advantageous in this connection if the inner circumference of the socket section is circumferentially smaller, at least in areas, than the outer circumference of the connector support section. The necessary sealing tensions and additional holding forces within the arrangement in accordance with the invention can also be applied in this way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention will now be explained in more detail by way of a preferred embodiment and by referring to the enclosed figures. These disclose further advantages, objects and features in accordance with the invention, wherein in the drawings:

[0024]FIG. 1 shows a partial axial longitudinal section of the essential components of the connecting arrangement in accordance with the invention; and

[0025]FIG. 2 shows a partial axial longitudinal section through the completed connecting arrangement, comprising the components in accordance with FIG. 1.

[0026] In the figures, identical or at least functionally identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a corrugated pipe 12 to which a connector support area 10 is connected as one piece. As a continuation of the connector support area 10, a socket section 50 is shown which is shaped so as to be inserted into the connector support area 10.

[0028] The connector support area 10 connects to an undulation 14 on the end of the corrugated pipe 12, wherein a radially expanding section 16 is initially provided. A sealing constriction 18, which can also effect an engagement, connects to said radially expanding area 16, if a counterpart to this structure is provided on the socket section 15 to be inserted.

[0029] As a continuation, an area 20, again extended in its diameter, is provided, such that a pressing of the socket section is generated, in areas only, circumferentially.

[0030] An engaging area 22 connects to the extended area 20, said engaging area 22 ensuring that the connecting arrangement in accordance with the invention is mechanically stabilised, by being able to engage with a corresponding area of the socket section in order on the one hand to be able to position the socket section precisely within the connector support area 10 and on the other hand in order to be able to counteract drawing-out forces. On the other side of the holding section 22, a constriction 26 is provided which at the same time can form an insertion opening 24 for the socket section 50.

[0031] The socket section 50 comprises axially open ends 52, 66 which when assembled can enable a liquid comprising jet water or other cleaning liquid, such as is used in particular in cold seasons, to flow.

[0032] The outer circumference of the socket section 50 is formed to correspond to the structure of the connector support area 10 and its inner circumference. Thus, an oblique area 54 is provided which corresponds to the radially extending section 16 on the connector support area 10. These areas alone can deploy a sealing effect. A circumferential area having a substantially uniform radius connects to the chamfered area 54 and is followed by a sealing surface 58 which, when installed as shown in FIG. 2, comes to rest opposite the sealing constriction 18. In this respect, the sealing constriction 18 has the function of a sealing lip. On the other side of the sealing surface 58, the radius and/or the circumference of the socket section 50 is extended, in particular in order—with a substantially constant wall thickness—to be able to form an engaging and/or latching structure 61 on the inner circumference. On the other side of this area, an engaging structure 60, 62 is formed which can be engaged with the corresponding engaging structure 26 on the connector support area 10. The area 64 and/or the collar section between the areas 64 and 62, in connection with the section 26 of the connector support area 10, can in turn additionally ensure that the sealing constriction or sealing lip 18 is precisely positioned with respect to the corresponding sealing area 58 of the socket section.

[0033]FIG. 2 shows the areas 10 and 50 in their fitting position, wherein a connector support area 80 is additionally moved to its end position within the socket section 50.

[0034] A sealing surface 82 on the end of the connector support area 80 facing the corrugated pipe 12 is moved to a precise position with respect to the socket section and therefore with respect to the sealing constriction or sealing lip 18, such that this area can be mechanically pressed in order to apply the necessary sealing effect. For purposes of clarity, a representation with clearance between the parts has been chosen in FIG. 2, whereas in reality this is not the case.

[0035] An engaging collar or latching collar 84 is in engagement with the holding or connecting area 61 of the socket section 50. A circumferentially reduced area 86 connects to the collar 84 and substantially serves to form the collar area 84. Connected to this is a continuation 88 which can for instance be formed as one piece with a pump casing, screwed into a pump casing, or the like.

[0036] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restricted. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description and all changes that come within the meaning and range and equivalence thereof are intended to be embraced therein. 

1. A motor vehicle jet water conduit connecting arrangement for connecting a plastic corrugated pipe within a motor vehicle jet water conduit system to a corrugated pipe section and to a connector support section, comprising: a connector area; and a socket section which comes to rest in a fitting position between the connector area on the corrugated pipe side and said connector support section, sealing said connecting arrangement.
 2. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connector support area of said corrugated pipe comprises a sealing constriction on its inner circumference, wherein said sealing constriction co-operates with an at least partially corresponding structure on the outer circumference of said socket section.
 3. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein a positional control structure is provided on the socket section and correspondingly on the connector support area of the corrugated pipe, in order to move the socket section to a defined position in the connector support area and to hold it there.
 4. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector support area of the corrugated pipe comprises a holding section which co-operates with a corresponding socket holding section, in order to counteract drawing-out forces.
 5. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 2, wherein the connector support section comprises a sealing area which in the fitting position co-operates with the sealing constriction of the connector support area and the structure particular to the socket section, forming a seal.
 6. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connector support section comprises a fixing section which co-operates with a fixing structure of the socket section and, as appropriate, of the connector support area.
 7. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the socket section is made of a permanently elastic, soft and sealing material.
 8. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the outer circumference of the socket section is circumferentially larger, at least in areas, than the corresponding inner circumference of the connector support area of the corrugated pipe.
 9. The connecting arrangement as set forth in claim 1, wherein the inner circumference of the socket section is circumferentially smaller, at least in areas, than the outer circumference of the connector support section. 